Overview & Reviews

Introduced in 1979, the Honda Prelude was the company's first attempt at building an exciting car that still held true to the core Honda values of intelligent design and reliability. Over the next two decades, the two-door sport coupe would become the primary performance car in the Honda lineup. Although it was outfitted with relatively powerful engines in later generations, the Prelude was not a muscle car. It was built around handling and drivability, while providing enough power to remain competitive.

Over its life, several new technologies for Honda were pioneered on the Prelude, such as fuel injection, four-wheel steering and Honda's Active Torque Transfer System. The Prelude was also the first Honda model to get VTEC, the company's variable valve timing engine technology.

Though the Honda Prelude was very popular throughout the '80s, consumer interest waned in the '90s. Eventually, the Prelude was trapped in an under-$30,000 no-man's land. For a sporty front-wheel-drive coupe, it was just too pricey, and it didn't have sports car looks or a sufficiently premium feel. By the turn of the millennium, the sport coupe market was a shadow of its former self. Honda dropped the Prelude without a replacement after the 2001 model year. As a pre-owned option, however, the rewarding and reliable Prelude merits serious consideration from driving enthusiasts on a budget.

Most Recent Honda Prelude

If you're searching for a used Honda Prelude, you'll likely be encountering the fifth and final generation, which was sold from 1997-2001. It was larger and heavier than any of the previous models. It was also the most dynamic. There were two trim levels: base and Type SH. Both got a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with VTEC and a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was available as an option on the base model. Initially, the engine put out 195 horsepower, but in 1999, Honda bumped maximum power up to 200 hp in the manual-transmission models.

Both trims were equipped with a generous array of standard features that included 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS, cruise control, a sunroof, air-conditioning and full power accessories. The main difference between the base model and the Type SH was the addition of Honda's Active Torque Transfer System, an electronic system that distributed torque to the outside drive wheel in cornering situations. Its purpose was to minimize understeer and thus mimic rear-wheel-drive cornering characteristics.

In road and comparison tests, our editors found the Honda Prelude Type SH to be one of the best-handling cars in its class -- truly a driver's car. It was nimble and well balanced, while also maintaining a decent amount of ride comfort. There was just enough engine performance to be sporty, with the VTEC four performing a Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation in feel and sound above 5,200 rpm. Zero-to-60 times were in the low 7s. In 1999, the Prelude won Edmunds.com's Editors' Most Wanted award for Best Sport Coupe ($10,000-$25,000). In 2000, it won again for Best Sport Coupe.

Despite being a great-performing car, the Honda Prelude was lacking in other areas. The interior boasted high-quality materials and construction, but it lacked the visual pizzazz buyers had come to expect from a car with a $26,000 price tag. Honda maintained a conservative approach here, filling the cabin with a monochromatic color scheme and Accord-like gauges and controls. The front seats, though comfortable, weren't available in leather and had limited adjustability. The rear seats had minimal legroom. The fifth-generation Prelude has aged well, however, as that restrained interior design now seems classier and less dated than brash designs like the contemporary Toyota Celica.

Past Honda Preludes

The other Honda Prelude one should consider is the fourth-generation model, which was sold for the 1992-'96 model years. A complete overhaul of the previous model, this Prelude was slightly shorter, much wider and a far better-handling car. The S trim featured a 135-hp 2.2-liter SOHC four-cylinder. The Si had a 160-hp 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder with a healthy 156 pound-feet of torque. From 1993 on, the fourth-generation Prelude could also be had in range-topping Si VTEC trim, which brought a 2.2-liter 190-hp DOHC four equipped with Honda's electronic variable valve timing (VTEC) system. A four-wheel-steering system was available in 1992-'93, though only on the Si model.

In general, the fourth-generation Prelude earned favorable commentary in reviews at the time. It offered excellent handling, and nearly all who drove it liked the power of the VTEC-equipped engine. Criticisms were mostly directed at the car's odd interior design. A sweeping blacked-out instrument cluster extended across the entire dash, and few found the mix of analog and digital gauges appealing.

User Reviews:

Showing 111 through 120 of 428.00

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  fast n fun - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By nateg - December 23 - 4:11 pm

  Ive had this car for a little over a year. Its a lot of fun to drive (10). Good straight line power and one the best handling cars Ive ever driven. 80,000 miles and feels very solid. It has lots of low end torque for a honda, and is amazing when in VTEC. Very good ride when considering how good it is around the twisties. However its not without its faults. My engine uses oil, makes my white bumper black. Bad timing belt tensioner design. "Get r done" interior (no frills). This car hates cold weather. The normally buttery smooth 5 speed notches into gear, and the interior and front suspension creeks when it gets below freezing. It doesnt get around in the snow very well either for a FWD.

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  MY LIFE=MY LUDE SH - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By John Smith - December 10 - 3:53 am

  I own a Prelude SH with 105k miles, it just runs amazing, in my school we have started a prelude team, we have in our school alone 5 preludes, each memeber put in alot of effort in finding one. i have to only SH out of the group, and even though i have the most milage i can take any of thier ludes, you just have to take care of them, u cant drive em like a camry, u have to have a compassionate love for the car so you will put in money and time, my weekdays are all school and work, and my weekends are all for my prelude. the ATTS SH is amazing, you will feel the difference people! over all it was my dream car and i finally got it, and people turn thier heads twice when my SH rolls by all stk

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  91 Prelude SI - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By PrElUdE RaCeR - November 17 - 7:09 pm

  The 91 Prelude is a great first car. Its sporty,fast and powerful. The only downside is that performance parts are hard to come by. Also the B21a1 engine burns oil very quickly. Other than that, its a great car.

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  Love this car! - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By rich1969 - November 8 - 1:28 pm

  I bought this car with 257,000 miles on it. It starts up right away every morning and has been more dependable than some new cars I have had. I get about 25 MPG.

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  Honda Prelude - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By kevo - November 4 - 1:06 pm

  I purchased a 1995 Honda Prelude about one year ago. I have put 20,000 miles on it and it still runs just as good as the day that I bought it. I have done some performance changes such as a carbon fiber hood, an exhaust, and a cold air intake. I am very impressed with the performance of the car. It has good pickup and drives very smooth.

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  Love Prelude - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Ross - October 11 - 5:14 am

  I have had this car for over a year and a half and I love it. I always wanted one since 97 when they came out and when my old accord was totalled I jumped at the opportunity to buy a good used Prelude. I have not been dissappointed.

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  1998 Honda Prelude - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By ereimer98 - September 12 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my Prelude with 42K miles. Has been a problem free nice commuter car and has needed very little maintenance over the last 4 years that I have owned it. It still drives and looks great at 125K miles and should keep on going. It is the Honda engineering that makes these cars seem to outlast most others. Good performance while still very reliable few complaints overall while owning this car.

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  Amazing Vehicle to Own! - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Lance Richards - August 4 - 6:55 pm

  My Prelude is just un-describable!! I purchased this car with 119,000 miles on it and it performs like it has 19,000. Its amazingly clean and will last me years to come! So go out and buy one A.S.A.P you wont regret it!!

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  My Prelude VTEC - 1996 Honda Prelude
  By Brian K. - July 26 - 7:08 pm

  I really love this car. It is very fun to drive, its comfortable on long trips, and even somewhat practical. Ive driven it on a race track, and it kept me on top of more than few Corvette C5s. The engine is sweet, the transmission is one of the best Ive ever sampled, and the handling is supurb for a FWD vehicle. Also, fuel economy is acceptable, and the reliability is bulletproof. The interior is very roomy (Im 65" and I fit fine). The design is a bit controversial, but I love it, and so do all of my friends. If you have the chance, get one. You will not be disappointed. I plan on driving mine until it dies, then Ill rebuild it and drive it more.

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  99 Prelude - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By P TITTY - July 19 - 4:06 am

  The prelude by Honda is a legend and I hope Honda decides to start production again soon. The 99 models saw a 5 HP increase to make it 200 HP(Base model seems fasteR than the SH MODEL), which is more than the type r integra stock. Exterior styling still turnsheads todaY and the interior is not bad. Under the hood we see one of the biggest stock honda 4 cylinder motors at 2.2 liters and the added bonus of VTECH MAKES THIS BABY SCREAM AFTER 5500 RPM. The one thing I have not like about hondas as I have previously owned a 00 civic si and 95 GSR integra is the clutches in the cars stock are not very heavy duty especially during racing. Overall the lude is the best sporty honda out there